Page 28 of Ignited Heat

"Are you happy?"

"More than I've ever been."

"Are you sure you don't want to go away to college?"

My mother keeps dangling that carrot in front of me, but I'm not going to leave my life here to go away to school. To study what?

"Mama, if I ever want further education, I can take online classes."

"I suppose. But if you had a business degree you could get more involved with the restaurant. Help Papa out."

"Oh no, thanks, Mama. Leave it to one of the boys. I really have to go. Is this all you wanted to talk about?"

"I hope you have a great weekend, my sweet daughter."

"Thanks, Mama. I love you."

Carlos has a big mouth. I didn't know once I found someone to love that, my family would become so clingy. They respect Jason, but they'd rather I choose someone 'different.' They don't realize that it's always been Jason for me. I finish packing and get ready for when he comes to pick me up. Pretty soon, I hear his motorcycle outside and a delicious shiver runs through my body.

When he comes inside, I'm waiting for him in the living room with my packed bag. He already packed his last night and put it in the trunk of our car.

"Hey, angel. You ready?"

"Yes. For some reason, I'm really excited about this trip."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

I give him a hug and then a quick kiss on the lips. Then I hand him my suitcase.

"Well, come on then."

I follow him outside and get into the passenger seat. It's been eight months to the day when we first stayed at that farmhouse. I wonder if he remembers. It's silly to feel like this is a special occasion, but I do. We spend the drive talking about silly stuff and about my clingy family. Carlos had wanted to hang out this weekend and that's why Jason had to tell him he was busy. When we get to the house, Jason parks the car but doesn't get out.

"You know it's been eight months exactly from the first time we came here," he says.

"You remembered."

"Of course, my angel."

He takes my hand in his and squeezes it lightly. I return the squeeze and watch the house through the window.

"Hey, the light is on. Do you think there's someone in there?"

"No, I came back early to stock the fridge."

I give him a bright smile and kiss his cheek.

"Oh, what are you feeding me tonight?"

"It's a surprise."

He gets out of the car and comes to the passenger side to open the door for me. I take his offered hand, and he tugs me to his side. We walk like that towards the house and he opens the door for me. What I see delights me. There are rose petals guiding a path from the entrance to the bedroom, but the dining table is all set up for a fancy dinner that I can smell from here—lasagna and some garlic bread. Italian is my favorite after Chinese, and Jason knows it. I wonder where he got the food from.

“Jason, everything looks amazing. Thank you so much."

"You deserve this and more, my angel. Let me get our bags."

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